"Emotional meltdowns"?

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Hello everyone. Sometimes at work I have these episodes where I can not stop crying, which is very embarassing because I work in an open office. Do you think this is also an example of an "emotional meltdown" that I've heard is an Aspie-characteristic, or is that usually an "anger-episode" (which I also sometimes have)? The common factor is that I'm pretty mad about not being respected as I think I should be and that I can not communicate this in any other way. I'm usually pretty tired and overstimulated when it happens and maybe that can happen to anyone but I don't think I've ever seen it with anyone else to this extent. Or they're better at hiding it.

Anyway, do you know anything that might help in such kind of situations except leave the office asap which is also not always possible? I've noticed that talking only seems to make it worse in the short term. I'm running the risk of losing my job, not just because of this but I'm sure it doesn't help.

Thank you for the advice.

I have them, but very rarely.

Tim

Breakdowns have happened with me before. Usually strong feelings of remorse trigger them.

I have angry fits nearly everyday.

I have anger issues, however, I've managed to control them all my life (and I'm not young). In the past few years, there are a couple of drugs that I'm taking, which I wish they'd had years ago. They stop things without making me feel that I'm loaded or hyped. They are strictly prescription. I think it was just a matter of a psychiatrist getting lucky with a DX. The only problem is, that they make me quite sleepy for about an hour after I take them....unless I'm up and running around. So I try to get a good night's sleep every night, and then take them about mid-morning. I'm not sure whether they would work for crying, but it would be worth asking a doctor about. The one that is the most help is Clonazepam. Warning, it is also habit forming, but as my doctor said, "if it does the job, then why worry about the habit. You've had these issues for a very long time).

On another subject, I've posted a request for people with meltdowns to please describe them. What happens, what do you do, what brings them on,(if you know). How do you feel during one (no, this is not a stupid question. I'm looking for what it's like inside). I posted another thread on this subject in the members only section, but if people respond to this one, it's just as good. If you're new on the board, know, please, that I am not. And I'm not going to blab anything. I'm doing some research, and I'm looking for common factors.....Disclaimer. I'm just interested, I'm not a doctor of any kind or a psychologist, or anyone engaged in a funded study. This is curiosity.

Best, and good luck.
Beentheredonethat

that's a really tough one. I can't seem to control my emotions either. I take everything very personnally, and wish I had a blank face. Some people are just really good at it.

What do I recommend? Figuring out a job that keeps me moving is what works for me. I don't have to always deal with the same people; so they don't learn my flaws in communication. When I was stuck in a small office with the same poeple (about 40); it didn't work and I would have to leave sometimes...to go out back and cry. That was terrible; becuase everyone saw.

But, what I did learn was to blow it off. Also, I have a few guys in my family tree that will cry at a drop of a hat. Phenominal....and they don't care.....they are just big teddy bare's that care.

So, if you can't find a different job....just blow it off....say, that your eye make-up always casues you to blubber and smile.....

Say you're in mourning for our evolutional problems with smog;-))))

What's important here? YOUR more normal than you think...

-

Probably many kinds of emotional breakdowns. Some can be from social factors or memories, frustrations, etc. But every once in awhile I can only think that its tied to previous life experiences. Obviously a belief in reincarnation is needed for that one, which I do.

Its like a well that I fall into that just keeps going, and the reason for the feelings is never defined, its something lower in the well. Ive gone through gestalt training, etc and think Ive worked through most blocks concerning this life. But theres something deeper down, so traumatic that just getting close to it sparks fits of great saddness and tears.

So thats my theory, anyway. And please dont say its crazy cause, like, duh.

I've been having meltdowns all week. For me, a meltdown is immanent, when everything seems magnified way out of proportion: sounds, smells, textures, etc. I become intensely irritable, irrational, and hard to be with. If anyone has the misfortune to speak to me, I'll take their head off. Fortunately, I have learned to lay low, when I'm like this. I don't interact with anyone unless it is absolutely necessary, and then as briefly as possible. Usually, a crying spell follows this, and I have to wrap up in a blanket and hibernate for awhile...

Yes, I have them too.

How do they feel? It begins with a strong emotion like anger or regret, or frustration or loneliness. It will then create a memory overload of situations and/or people that have either caused or conributed to this strong feeling. I will cry, sob, for a very long time. When it starts I can't hold it back, can't control it and can't stop it uness I become so mentally tired that my mind can't think any more and stops rolling these movie like memories of the incident that triggured the meltdown. After that I usually need to eat, or sleep or both because I feel completely exhausted. These cry-storms as I call them can sometimes last for hours. Had one that lasted almost 2-3 hours. That was a very severe one. Mostly they will last 45 min to 1 hour. During the storm I will also talk out loud as if I am holdng a conversation or an argument with the person who caused or contributed to my emotional upset. If there is no person involved then my argument can be with God, or the devil for torturing me, demons, my own self, my mom or dad who are dead, etc. I might use my fists to hit things or myself sometimes. Physical pain sems to help level the emotional pain I feel during such a storm.

I hope this info helps. Oh, and these do not happen in public. Once and only once I dared call a friend during such a cry-storm and she freaked out and told me to seek psychiatric help so I keep them to my self and in the safety of my home. If my neighbors hear my crying, shouting and swearing I really don't care. I never talk to them anyway.

Star

yeeesh! I have had theses for YEARS...it's an Aspie thing?? Wow! Yikes!
Mine are not anger based..I have this weird unconventional way of expressing anger..I can't exactly feel anger I feel overwhealming sadness and frustration..and then I turn it inward....
I go into these nasty downward spiral...I can't really describe what one is like whan I am not in one..I had a really hard time NOT having them at work/school...negative confrontations....making mistakes..getting repremanded..sometimes just for no apparent reason....
now I have an unconventional occupation and it is easier for me to escape when I am in the middle of one

Whenever I spend too much time outside of my "safety zone"..the venue I run...I am prone to a meltdown..I thought it was extreme social anxiety. I will be in a space surrounded by people having fun and whatnot and just start crying...feel panicy...sometimes I have been out with friends..my boyfriend and bandmates..and something will happen and I will feel compelled to walk home...I will leave..and just walk home..sometimes miles..usually aclohol is involved when I do this..

learn how to cope, with any situation. then you wont have meltdowns or atleast ive found out

Easier said than done.
It is not as bad as it used to be though

you'll get there. i use to have them all the time, mostley online. i still get them but only certian things trigger them in real life. mostley, if i have an appointment, or i am supose to be somewhere and the other persons late. that sets me off, i dont think ill ever get over it. i wish you much luck

I get them a lot...too much...often over things most wouldn't consider so distressing. When I cry, it can last an hour or more, and I wonder if it will ever stop. When I get angry, I go nuts...I punch things, slap things, hit myself, throw things, shout, curse God or whatever it is I perceive to be making my life a misery, and eventually wear myself out. My anger is frightening and I cannot work out why I react so strongly to things...the most extreme reactions come from me when I am disconnected from my obsession, which alas, is the internet right now as some might have noticed, lol.